Nasal colonization by both gram-positive and gram-negative pathogens induces expression of the innate immune protein lipocalin 2 (Lcn2). Lcn2 binds and sequesters the iron-scavenging siderophore enterobactin (Ent), preventing bacterial iron acquisition. In addition, Lcn2 bound to Ent induces release of IL-8 from cultured respiratory cells. As a countermeasure, pathogens of the Enterobacteriacea...

Glial reaction is a common feature of neurodegenerative diseases. Recent studies have suggested that reactive astrocytes gain neurotoxic properties, but exactly how reactive astrocytes contribute to neurotoxicity remains to be determined. Here, we identify lipocalin 2 (lcn2) as an inducible factor that is secreted by reactive astrocytes and that is selectively toxic to neurons. We show that lcn...

The aim of the present study was to identify a target molecule that could predict the efficacy of radiotherapy in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). We used DNA microarray analysis to identify differences in gene expression after X-ray irradiation. We compared the gene expression profiles between X-ray (8 Gy)-irradiated Ca9-22 cells (an OSCC-derived cell line) and unirradiated Ca9-22 cells. A...

BACKGROUND Glial cells are involved in immune and inflammatory responses in the central nervous system (CNS). Glial cells such as microglia and astrocytes also provide structural and functional support for neurons. Migration and morphological changes of CNS cells are associated with their physiological as well as pathological functions. The secreted protein lipocalin-2 (LCN2) has been previousl...

Adipose tissue-derived cytokines (adipokines) are associated with the development of inflammation and insulin resistance. However, which adipokine(s) mediate this linkage and the mechanisms involved during obesity is poorly understood. Through proteomics and microarray screening, we recently identified lipocalin 2 (LCN 2) as an adipokine that potentially connects obesity and its related adipose...

Based largely on studies in xenograft models, lipocalin-2 (Lcn2) has been implicated in the progression of multiple types of human tumors, including breast cancer. Here we examine the role of Lcn2 in mammary tumorigenesis and lung metastasis using an in vivo molecular genetics approach. We crossed a well-characterized transgenic mouse model of breast cancer, the MMTV-PyMT (mouse mammary tumor v...

Lipocalin 2 (LCN2; also known as NGAL) is a secreted glycoprotein and its elevated expression has been observed in breast cancers. However, the importance of LCN2 in breast tumorigenesis is unclear. Here, we employed a spontaneous mammary tumor mouse model showing that MMTV-ErbB2 (V664E) mice lacking mouse LCN2 had significantly delayed mammary tumor formation and metastasis with reduced matrix...

Obesity and osteoarthritis (OA) form a vicious circle in which obesity contributes to cartilage destruction in OA, and OA-associated sedentary behaviour promotes weight gain. Lipocalin-2 (LCN2), a novel adipokine with catabolic activities in OA joints, contributes to the obesity and OA pathologies and is associated with other OA risk factors. LCN2 is highly induced in osteoblasts in the absence...

This study investigated whether the renal regeneration occurring in the recovery phase of kidney ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) is mediated by endogenously generated lipocalin-2 (Lcn2). A second objective was to examine whether Lcn2-mediated cell effects could be regulated by the inflammatory cytokines in the environment through their action on Lcn2 receptors (Lcn2R and megalin). Male Swiss mice we...

PURPOSE Lipocalin-2 (Lcn2), a newer adipocyte-secreted acute phase protein, was recently reported to be correlated with potential effects on obesity and inflammation. The reaction of this protein to progressive exercise has not been evaluated yet. This study was designed to compare the serum Lcn2 and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels after participating in an acute bout of tre...